Cup decorating machine



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am; Aug. 19, 1947 2,425,928 CUP DECORATING MACHINE Walter H. Emerson, East Liverpool, Ohio, assignor to The Homer Laughlin China Company, Newell, W. Va., a corporation of Delaware Application May 1, 1943, Serial No. 485.295

15 Claims. (01. 101-38) ,1 This invention relates to apparatus for stamping colored designs around the'outside of cups.

Cups" as used herein is to be understood as including cup-shape articles such as bowls and the like. 1 The universal wayof stamping designs around the outside of dinnerware cups is by hand. That is, the worker holds in his hand an ordinary rubber stamp carrying a section of the design to be printed on the cups. He applies color to the stamp and then presses it against the side of the cup. As the stamp can only print a small area of the cup at a time, the, cup is periodically rotated by the workman and the stamp is repeatedly pressed against the cup until the repeated design forms a band extending around the cup. Obviously, this method of decorating a cup is slow and therefore expensive. Also, it is very difficult to match and align the'repeated sections of the design as it progresses around the cup, so it is likely to be uneven. If the design is too uneven, the'cup can not be sold as a first, whereby the profit normally obtained is decreased or eliminated. Insofar as I am aware, no successful machine has ever been built for automatically stamping designs on cups, especially those having a tapered or frusto-conical design-- receiving surface.

It is among the objects of this invention to provide a cup decorating machine which automatically stamps designs around the outside of cups of various shapes and sizes, which accurately positions the designs on the cups, which properly inks the stamp, which securely holds and centers cups during stamping, which is rapid in operation, and which is relatively simple in construction. Another object is to provide an improved method of stamping decorations around tapered cups.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Fig. l is a plan view of my cup decorating machine; Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken on the line IIII of- Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a' plan view of part of the driving mechanism taken on the line III-J11 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken on the line IVIV of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section through one of the chucks and spindles; Figs. 6,

'7, and 8 are enlarged framentary views showing a 2 is a view similar toFlg. 5 of a modified chuck; Fig. 15 is a view similar to Fig. 5 of a chuck for holding a cup or the like having a cylindrical side wall; and Figs. 16 and 1'7 are fragmentary plan and side views, respectively, of inking mechanism for the stamp used in decorating the cup shown in Fig. l5.

In accordance with this invention, a tapered cup having a frusto-conical design-receiving surface is supported for rotation on its axis. An elongated decorating stamp is brought into engagement with that surface of the cup, and relative movement between them is effected in an are having its axis intersecting at any desired angle the apex of an imaginery cone formed by projecting the design-receiving surface of the cup. The cup is rotated by the stamp and simultaneously decorated thereby without slippage taking place between them. The cup preferably is mounted on one of a plurality of rotatable spindles radiating from an intermittently rotatable turret, and the stamp preferably is mounted on a continuously rotating table or the like beside the turret. By adjusting the table and turret radially of each other the above-mentioned relation of the path of travel of the stamp to the cup can be obtained for cups of different shapes. During the period that the stamp is not decorating a cup it is inked by adjustable inking mechanism that includes an inking roll which is positively rotated except when engaged by the stamp.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 4 of the drawings, mounted in one end of av rectangular housing I is an electric motor 2 that is operatively connected through a variable speed transmission 3 to a fixed gear reduction unit 4 at the opposite end of the housing. The latter unit continuously rotates a vertical drive shaft 5 that is rotatably mounted in the top and bottom of an elongated gear box I suspended from the top of the housing. Below the gear-box the shaft carries a Geneva rotor 8 which periodically turns 9. Geneva spider 9 rigidly mounted on the lower end ofa vertical hollow shaft in also journaled in the top and bottom of the gear box at one side of drive shaft 6. This shaft projects above the housing to support a turret l2 that is formed for holding a plurality of tapered dinnerware cups l3 so that they can be decorated.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 5, the central portion of the turret is an annular casting it mounted on a head I5 with the top of its central open area closed by a cover plate i6. Ring i4 is provided at circuinferentially spaced positions with radial openings, in this case six, in each of which anoutwardly extending sleeve I1 is rigidly mounted. Each sleeve contains two sets of needle bearings IS in which a spindle I9 is rotatably and slidably mounted. Rigidly mounted on the outer end of the spindle is a cup-receiving chuck made by clamping the opposite side of a tire-shape rubber gripping member 2| between a head 22, a plate 23, and a clamping disc 24 all mounted on the spindle where they are forced inwardly against a washer 25 by a nut 26. In order to. expand the gripping member so that it will tightly engage and upport a cup telescoped over it, the head 22 is provided with a plurality of radial passages 28 that communicate with an axial passage 29 in the outer end portion of the spindle. A short distance inside the sleeve the inner end of the axial passage is connected by radial openings 3| to the outside of the spindle, and a short distance beyond, similar radial openings 32 connect the outside of the spindle to the outer end of another axial passage 33 that opens into the chamber formed by ring Hi.

When a cup is telescoped over the flexible gripping member and pushed against plate 23, the spindle is moved inwardly of the sleeve until stopped by .washer 25. The spindle is held in this position 'by a spring-pressed ball 35 mounted in a fitting 36 in the wall of the sleeve with the ball projecting into an annular groove 31 in the spindle. In this position the two groups of radial openings 3| and 32 in the spindle are connected by an annular chamber 38 formed between annular packing members 35 held in a retaining ring 40 mounted in the sleeve. Air under pressure from any suitable source is conducted through a hose 42, shown in Figs. 2 and 4, to a rotary seal 43 at the lower end of the hollow turret is rotated intermittently by the Geneva shaft, and passes through the spindle passages I and chamber 38 to the head passages 28 where it expands the flexible gripping member. The cup is released from the gripping member by merely pulling the cup outwardly, which pulls the spindle out of the sleeve far enough to connect the outer group 3! of radial openings with the atmosphere. This releases the air pressure in the gripping member so that the cup can be removed. Radial openings 32 in the spindle remain in valve chamber 38 and thereby prevent the escape of air pressure through them. The spindle is retained in its outer position, until a cup is again pushed against plate,23, by ball 35 which now rests in another annular groove 45 in the spindle.

In order to stamp designs on cups, a stampcarrying table 50 is mounted on a two-part vertical shaft 5| beside turret 12, as shown in Fig. 2. The upper part of the shaft is hollow and is telescoped into the hollow upper end of the lower part which is mounted in bearings in the top and bottom of a gear box 52 projecting down from the top of the housing. The two parts of the shaft are connected together by a rod 53 that extends down through the upper part and has it threaded lower end screwed into a threaded opening 54 in the lower shaft. A collar 56 above I the threaded portion of the rod supports the upper shaft, while a hand-wheel 51 on top of the rod permits it to be turned in order to raise or lower the table relative to housing I and turret l2.

Within gear box 52 the shaft carries a spiral gear 59 that meshes with a similar gear 60 journaled in bearings 6| at the opposite sides of the gear box. Gear 60 is splined on a horizontal shaft 82 that extends into the other gear box 1 where it carries a bevel gear 63 that meshes with a bevel pnion 64 mounted. on the vertical drive shaft 6. It will thus be seen that the table mechanism. The opening in the top of the housing through which table shaft 5| extends is in the ctormv of a slot 68, and the gear box below is supported by laterally projecting flanges at its upper end slidably mounted in ways 61 attached to the top of the housing. This permits the table to be moved horizontally toward and away from the turret. When such an adjustment is made, the gear 50 on horizontal shaft 62 slides along the shaft. This adjustment of the gear box is accomplished by a horizontal screw 89 threaded in one side and journaled in the adjacent end of the housing. The projecting outer end of the screw carries a crank handle III for turning it.

Mounted on the table in two diametrically opposite locations are elongated arcuate decorating stamps, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. These stamps may be made from a strip 15 of rubber and carry a design of the same length as the annular surface of the cup that is to be decorated. Thus, if the design is to be a series of leaves, for example, the strip will carry a plurality of leaf designs so as to print leaves all around the cup. The strip is supported on an elongated block 16 of rubber which may be attached to the table by metal clips 11 engaging the ends of the block with their lower ends screwed to the table. As shown in Figs. 6, 7, and 8, the clip at the leading end of the stamp should be bent to form a recess 18 that will receive a cup handle 19 even though the handle is swung a considerabl distance toward the stamp when the stamp first engages it. This makes it unnecessary to be so careful in exactly positioning the handle when the cup is placed on the chuck. As shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the stamp will push against the handle and rotate the cup until the stamp engages the side of the cup close to the handle. Continued movement of the stamp in frictional engagement with the cup rotates it and prints a design around it. The length of the stamp issuch that it leaves the cup just as it reaches the opposite side of its handle, as indicated in Fig. 8. However, it will be noted that when the cup is placed on the chuck, the handle should extend either substantially straight down or toward the oncoming stamp. If it extends away from the stamp. the latter will engage the cup at a point spaced from the handle and not only leave an intervening undecorated area, but it will cause the handle to strike the top of the stamp as the stamp leaves the cup and thereby either smear the design or break the handle. Of course, the upper surface of the stamp should be inclined transversely to conform to the inclination of the design-receiving area of the cup, this being illustrated in Figs. 5, 9 and 10.

In accordance with this invention, for any given shape of tapered cup the stamp table is adjusted horizontally by screw 69 to cause the axis of the table shaft 5| to intersect the apex i of a projection of the frusto-conical design-receiving surface of the cup. The cup surface to which the design is applied is frusto-conical because it is a band encircling the tapered or conlcal cup. The stamp is located on the table in a position where it will engage the design-receiving surface of the cup, and the curvature of the stamp conforms to the circular path in which it travels as the table rotates. With such relation of these elements, there is no slippage between the stamp and cup as they rotate around different axes in engagement with each other. This principle is illustrated in Figs. 9 and where the design-receiving surfaces of tapered cups of two different shapes are projected to form imaginary cones having an apex A in Fig. 9 and an apex B in Fig. 10. The table is adjusted to cause its axis C in each case to intersect either apex A or apex B, as the case may be. The transverse inclination of the upper surfaces of the stamps D and E conform to the inclination of the sides of the imaginary cones. slippage between the stamps and cups is thus avoided.

While one of th stamps is moving across a cup, the other stamp is being inked, by which is meant that gold or other suitable coloring material is being applied to it. As shown in Figs. 1, 2, 11, 12 and 13, the inking mechanism is supported beside the table by a pair of parallel horizontal rods BI and 82 one of which is disposed at a higher level and at one side of the other. The rods project beyond the end of the machine housing with their outer ends mounted in a block 83 that is supported above the housing level by an inclined bracket 88 secured to the end of the housing. The inner ends of these rods are supported by a yoke 86 (Figs. 1 and 2) that crosses the ta.. ble and is connected to the opposite sides of the housing. The upper rod 8| is connected directly to the yoke itself, while the lower rod is support.

tical plate. This causes pin I82 to swing arm IM and thereby swing the motor to the right to disengage its friction wheel from friction wheel 84 so that inking roll 88 will not be driven by the motor. Cam III is timed to cause the motor to be disconnected from the inking roll while a stamp engages the roll. The roll is therefore rotated by the stamp without danger of slippage between them.

The table end of vertical plate 88 also has an upright extension provided with a vertical slot reservoir is connected by a hose II8 to a suited by a block 81 attached to the bottom of the yoke.

Disposed between the two rodsclose to the lower one 82 is a vertical plate 88 the lower end of which is provided with a pair of laterally projecting bearings 89 that are rotatably and slidably mounted on the lower rod. Projecting laterally from the opposite side of the plate at its inner end is a bifurcated bearing 9I (Figs. 12 and 13) in which a horizontal shaft 92 is journaled. The shaft projects beyond thebearing toward the table and carries an inkingroll 93 having a surface of rubber, gelatin, or the like for receiving color and applying it to one of the stamps I5 as they are carried under the roll by the continuously rotating table. Rigidly mounted on the shaft between the two parts of the bearing is a friction wheel 94 that is driven by a smaller grooved wheel 85 frlctionally engaging it and mounted on the shaft'of an electric motor 96. This motor is supported on an arm 91 (Fig. 13) the opposite end of which is rigidly connected to the lower' end of a shaft 98 mounted for oscillation in a bracket 98 projecting from the adjacent side of plate 88. Rigiclly connected to the upper end of this shaft is an arm I8I (Fig. 11) the opposite end of which is pivotally connected to a horizontal pin I 82. The other end of the pin is secured'to a flexible diaphragm I83 mounted in a shallow cylinder I88 secured to the side of the vertical plate. The plate is provided with an opening that connects the inside of the cylinder with a short tube I88 to which a flexible hose I M is attached.

The small friction wheel is normally pressed against the larger one by a spring I88 coiled around shaft 98 with its ends attached to the shaft and bracket 98 so as to swing the shaft and motor to the left as viewed in Fig. 11. Hose I81 enters housing I and is connected through a normally closed valve I89 (Fig. 2) with means (not shown) for creating a suction in the hose. The valve is opened periodically by a pivoted lever I I8 that is actuated by a cam -I I I mounted on the lower end of table shaft SI. When the valve is opened, air is withdrawn from cylinder I 84, thereby drawing the diaphragm toward the verable source of air pressure (not shown) by which the rate at which the color drips on the distributing roll is controlled.

The vertical plate is held in upright position by a horizontal screw II9 that is journaled at one end in a swivel bearing I28 connected to a lug I 2| projecting laterally from the top of the plate. The other end of the screw is threaded in a bearing I22 rotatably and slidably mounted on upper rod 8|. By turning the screw, the plate can be tilted relative to lower rod 82 in order to raise or lower the inking roll for proper engagement with the stamps. When the plate is tilted, all of the rest of the inking mechanism moves with it because it all is supported by the plate, so there is no need for readjusting the various elements of the inking mechanism relative to one another.

The cup-supporting chuck shown in Fig. 5 operates by air pressure, but it also is possible to operate a chuck by reduced pressure or suction as illustrated in Fig. 14. Thus, in this modification of the invention, a radial spindle I25 is rotatably and slidably mounted in needle bearings I26 inside of a sleeve I21 rigidly supported in a bracket I28 mounted on a, plate I28 at the top of the turret shaft I38. Rigidly mounted on the outer end of the spindle is a cylinder I32 in which there is a flexible diaphragm I33 from the outer face of which a pin I34 extends slidably through an axial bearing I35 in the outer wall of the cylinder. Mounted on the outer end of this pin is a circular wedging member I3! that cylinder, the outer end portion of spindle I25 is provided with an axial passage I42 the inner end of which is connected by radial openings I43 to the outside of the spindle. When a cup is applied to the chuck and pushed inwardly the spindle is pushed into the sleeve until radial openings I43 connect the spindle passage with an annular chamber I44 in the sleeve that is sealed at both ends by packing members I85. The bottom of this chamber is connected by a radial opening I46 to a vertical passage. I41 in the supporting bracket I28 which has a side part communicating with a conduit I48 that connects it with 7 a one of a plurality of radial passages I49 in the rotating member I50 of a rotary seal at the center of the turret. The stationary part I52 of this rotary seal is connected by a hose I53 to suitable means for producing a vacuum, whereby suctioan is created in the cylinder behind diaphragm I3 To remove the cup from the chuck, the cup is merely pulled outwardly. This pulls the spindle out until its radial openings I43 are outside the sleeve and thus connect the cylinder to atmosphere. The coil spring I38 is therefore able to force the wedging member I31 away from the cylinder so that the frictional gripping ring I39 can contract and thereby release the cup. Outward movement of the spindle is limited by a stop I54 mounted on its inner end.

In case the design-receiving surface of the cup is cylindrical instead of frusto-conieal, it is necessary to support the cup during stamping with its axis parallel to the axis of the arc in which the stamp travels, rather than intersecting it. This is illustrated in Fig. 15 where a cup I56 is shown mounted bottomsideup on a chuck I51 that is rigidly mounted on the upper end of a vertical spindle I58. The construction of the chuck itself is exactly the same as the one described in Fig. 5, so the description will not be repeated. The spindle is rotatably and slidably mounted in needle bearings I59 in a sleeve I60 mounted in a vertical opening in a turret table I6I secured to the upper end of a hollow turret shaft I62. The spindle is held in its upper and lower positions by a spring-pressed ball I63 that projects into vertically spaced grooves I64 in the spindle. Upward movement of the spindle also is limited by a flange I65 at its lower end. The spindle is provided with an axial passage I66 extending downwardly from radial openings I61 near its upper end to a lower set of radial openings I68 that connect it with an annular chamber I69 formed by vertically spaced packing members I in a ring I1I mounted in the lower end of the sleeve. Leading from one side of this ring to a chamber I12 surrounding the upper end of the turret shaft i a conduit I13. Air under pressure forced up through the shaft passes through conduit I13 into chamber I68 and up through .the spindle passages to expand the flexible gripping member I14 of the chuck. The cup is released from the chuck by lifting the cup. .This raises the spindle until its lower radial openings I68 rise above ring "I and thus open into the upper part of the sleeve which is connected by a radial passage I to the atmosphere.

The decorating stamp I80 for cup I56 is mounted on the side of a continuously rotating table I8I. The way in which this stamp is inked is shown in Figs. 16 and 1'1. That is, at the side of the stamp table opposite to the turret there is a horizontal inking roll I82 that is rotatably mounted in one end of a horizontal lever I83 pivoted at its center to a bracket I84. The bracket is slidably mounted for horizontal adjustment in ways in a block I85 fastened to the outer surface of a. vertical plate I86 attached to the end of the machine housing. Adjustment is accomplished by a screw I81 rotatably connected to the block and threaded in one end of the bracket. The end of the lever closest the screw is provided with an enlarged opening through which extends a threaded stud I88 that projects from the bracket. This end of the lever is urged outwardly by a coil spring I89 encircling the stud, but its outward movement is restricted by a nut I90 on the end of the stud, whereby the pressure of the inking roll against the stamp can be controlled. Coloring material is periodically applied to the inking roll by means of a distributing roll I8I which is rotatably mounted in the outer end of a bell crank I92 that is oscillatably mounted in bearings I93 mounted on the side of plate I86. The outer arm of the crank is inclined upwardly as shown in Fig. 1']. Attached to the pivoted portion of this crank below its outer arm is a clamping band I94 that supports a small electric motor I95 which drives the distributing roll continuously through friction wheels I96 and I81.

The distributing roll receives its color from an applicator roll 200 rotatably mounted on a. shaft 20I which is vertically reciprocable in bearings or a bracket 202 adjustably secured to a block 208 on plate I86 in the same way as bracket I84. Color is delivered to the applicator roll by a. plurality of color reservoirs 205 each of which has an outlet tube 206 that engages the roll at a different level. The reservoirs are supported by horizontal screws I98 projecting radially from a cylindrical block I99 mounted on shaft 20I. In

order to distribute the color evenly over the entire periphery of this roll, it is reciprocated vertically by an actuating member 201 slidably mounted in a bracket 208 on plate I86. The lower end of this member carries a roller 209 which is engaged by a cam 2 I0 mounted on the projecting end of the horizontal drive shaft 2 of the apparatus which corresponds to drive shaft 62 in Fig. 2. The applicator roll is wider than the distributing roll, so they remain in contact throughout the width of the latter in spite of the reciprocation of the former. The distributing roll receives color from the applicator roll while the stamp is moving across the inking roll which at that time is left free to be rotated by the stamp. But-as soon as the stamp leaves the inking roll,

the distributor roll is swung away from the applicator roll and into engagement with the inking roll so as to transfer color to it. This movement of the distributing roll back and forth between the other two rolls is accomplished by the bell crank I92 the inner end of which carries a roller 2 I2 that engages a cam 2I3 mounted on the table shaft 2 that corresponds to table shaft 5I in Fig. 2.

By following this invention and decorating a cup with one application of an elongated stamp, continuous lines and other unbroken designs can be printed around the cup.

According to the provisions of the patent statutes. I have explained the principle and construction of my invention and have illustrated and described what I now consider to represent its best embodiment. However, I desire to have it understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described.

I claim:

1. A cup decorating machine comprising a. rotatable horizontal support, a plurality of radial shafts rotatably mounted thereon. a chuck mounted on the outer end of each shaft for holding a. cup, meansfor intermittently rotating said support to index said chucks from station to station, a rotatable horizontal table beside said support, means for continuously rotating the table, a decorating stamp mounted on the table and positioned to periodically engage a cup located at the station nearest the table, means beside the table for periodically inking the stamp, means for-adjusting the table radially toward and away from said support, and means for adjusting said inking means radially of the table.

2. A cup decorating machine comprising an intermittently rotatable turret, rotatable means on the turret for supporting a plurality of-cups in circumferentially spaced relation, a continuously rotatable table mounted beside the turret, a decorating stamp carried by the table for engaging and rotating a cup indexed by said turret into a position adjacent the table, means beside the table for inking the stamp, means for-adjusting the table radially toward and away from said turret, and rods, mounted approximately radially of the table and slidably supporting said inking means whereby the latter can be adjusted radially of the table.

- 3. A cup decorating machine comprising an intermittently rotatable turret, rotatable means on the turret for supporting a plurality of cups in circumferentially spaced relation, a continuously rotatable table mounted beside the turret, a decorating stamp carried by the tablerfor engaging and rotating a cup indexed by said turret into a position adjacent the table, a vertical drive shaft, an intermittent driving connection between said shaft and turret, a horizontal shaft below the table driven continuously by said drive shaft, a, gear splined on the horizontal shaft, gearing operatively connecting said gear with the table, and means for adjusting the table radially of said turret, whereby said gear slides along said horizontal shaft.

4. A cup decorating machine for cups having substantially frusto-conical design-receiving surfaces, comprising an intermittently'rotatable turret, rotatable means on the turret for supporting a plurality of cups in circumferentially spaced relation with their bottoms facing outwardly, a continuously rotatable table beside the turret, said turret and table being rotatable, In parallel axes, a decorating stamp carried by the table for engaging and rotating a cup indexed by said turret into a position adjacent the table, and adjustable means for positioning the axis of the table to intersect the apex of a conical projection of the frusto-conical surface of said cup, whereby slippage between the stamp and cup is avoided.

5. A machine for decorating the outside of a cup having a substantially frusto-conical designreceiving surface, comprising means for supporting the cup for rotation on its axis, a stamp support extending beside said means and rotatable on an axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation of said cup and intersecting the apex of the conical projection of said frusto-conical surface of the cup, and an elongated decorating stamp positioned on said support to frictionally engage said surface of the cup tangentially for rotating the cup and simultaneously stamping said surface.

6. A machine for decorating the outside of a cup having a substantially frusto-conical designreceiving surface, comprising means for supporting the cup for rotation on its axis, a stamp support extending beside said means and rotatable on an axis perpendicular to the axis of said means and intersecting the apex of the conical projection of said frusto-com'cal surface of the cup, an'elongated decorating stamp positioned on said support to frictionally engage said surface of the cup tangentially for rotating the cup and simultaneously stamping said surface, and means for effecting relative adjustment between said cup-supporting means and stamp support axially of said cup-supporting means for cups of different shapes.

7. A machine for decorating the outside of cups having substantially frusto-conical designreceiving surfaces, comprising a plurality of means each adapted to support a cup for rotation on its axis, intermittently moving means for -moving said cup-supporting means in an endless of the frusto-conical surface of the engaged cup,

whereby the stamp rotates the cup and simultaneously prints a design around it.

8. A machine for, decorating the outside of cups having substantially frusto-conical design-receiving surfaces, comprising a plurality of means each adapted to support a cup for rotation on its axis, intermittently moving means for moving said cup-supporting means in an endless path to and from a decorating station, an elongated decorating stamp for engaging a cup at said station, a support for the stamp rotatable on an axis perpendicular to the axis of the engaged cup and intersecting the apex of the conical projection of the frusto-conical surface of the engaged cup, and means for continuously rotating said stamp support whereby the stamp rotates said cup and simultaneously prints a. design around it.

9. A machine for decorating the outside of cups having substantially frusto-com'cal designreceiving surfaces, comprising a rotatable member, a plurality of rotatable cup-supporting members mounted radially of said member for rotation on axis perpendicular to the axis of said member, means for rotating said member intermittently to index said cup-supporting members to a decorating station, a table extending beside a cup at said station and rotatable on an axis parallel to the axis of said member and intersecting the apex of the conical projection of the frusto-conical surface of said cup, means for continuously rotating the table, and an elongated arcuate decorating stmap positioned on the table to frictionally engage cups at said station for rotating and simultaneously stamping them.

10. A machine for decorating the outside of a cup, comprising means for supporting the cup for rotation on its axis, a rotatable vertical shaft spaced from the cup and divided into upper and lower parts operably connected together, bearings rotatably supporting the lower part of the shaft, means for adjusting the upper part of the shaft vertically relative to the lower part, a table rigidly mounted on the upper end of the shaft and extending beside said cup-supporting means, and an elongated arcuate decorating stamp positioned on the table to frictionally engage the cup to rotate it and simultaneously print a design around it.

11. A cup decorating machine comprising means for supporting the cup for rotation on'its axis, a rotatable vertical shaft spaced from the cup and divided into a hollow upper part telescoped into the upper end of a lower part, bearings rotatably supporting the lower part of the shaft, a rod extending axially through said hollow upper part and having a projecting lower end threaded into said lower part to rigidly connect the two parts together, means attached to the upper end of said rod for turning it to adjust the upper part of the shaft vertically in the lower part, a table rigidly mounted on the upper end of the shaft 11 and extending beside said cup-supporting means, and an elongated arcuate decorating stamp positioned on the table to frictionally engage the cup to rotate it and simultaneously print a design around it.

12. A cup decorating machine comprising a rotatable member, a plurality oi. rotatable cup-supporting members mounted thereon, continuously operating driving means, intermittently movable means operably connecting said driving means with said member for indexing said cup-supporting members to a decorating station, a decorating stamp for engaging a cup at said station, a support for the stamp rotatable on an axis parallel to the axis of said rotatable member, and means operably connecting said driving means with the stamp support to continuously rotate thelatter.

13. A cup decorating machine comprising a rtatable member, a plurality of rotatable cup-supporting members mounted thereon, continuously operating driving means, intermittently movable means operably connecting said driving means with said member for indexing said cup-supporting members to a decorating station, a decorating stamp for engaging a cup at said station, a support for the stamp rotatable on an axis parallel to the axis of said rotatable member, means in-.

cluding a shaft and a gear splined thereon for operably connecting said driving means with the stamp support to continuously rotate the latter,

and means for adjusting the stamp support radial-' ly of said rotatable member, said shaft extending in the direction of said adjustment and said gear moving along the shaft during adjustment.

gear box in said housing below said opening, a

shaft journaled in said box and extending up through said opening, means for adjusting said gear box horizontally toward and away from said cup-supporting means, means for driving said shaft regardless of the position of the box, a teble rigidly mounted on the upper end of the shaft, and an elongated arcuate decorating stamp positioned on the table to trictionally engage the cup to rotate it and simultaneously print a design -around it.

15. A cup decorating machine comprising an intermittently rotatable turret, rotatable means on the turret for supporting a plurality of cups in circumferentially spaced relation, 9. continuously rotatable table mounted beside the turret, a decorating stamp carried by the table for engaging and rotating 9. cup indexed by said turret into a position adjacent the table, an inking roll mounted beside the table and adapted to be periodically engaged and rotated by said stamp, means for driving the roll only while it is disengaged from the stamp, and means supplying color for the roll.

, WALTER H. EMERSON.

I REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the m of this patent:

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